Ecotipping Points Project

EVENTS

Social ecological systems in upland cultural landscapes (June 17, 2008 - online - anywhere)

Workshop on Successful Experiments in Improving Ecosystems Outcomes (December 8, 2008 - Chicago, IL)

PUBLICATIONS

Core Questions of Science and Technology for Sustainability ( B. Bolin, W. Clark, R. Corell, N. Dickson, S. Faucheux, G. Gallopín, A. Gruebler, M. Hall, B. Huntley, J. Jäger, C. Jaeger, N. Jodha, R. Kasperson, R. Kates, I. Lowe, A. Mabogunje, P. Matson, J. McCarthy, H. Mooney, B. Moore, T. O'Riordan, J. Schellnhuber, U. Svedin. , 2000)

How Green Are Biofuels? (Jorn P. W. Scharlemann and William F. Laurance , 2008)

Sustainable Energy Case Study Database (Ashden , 2008)

Complexity of Coupled Human and Natural Systems (Jianguo Liu, Thomas Dietz, Stephen R. Carpenter, Marina Alberti, Carl Folke, Emilio Moran, Alice N. Pell, Peter Deadman, Timothy Kratz, Jane Lubchenco, Elinor Ostrom, Zhiyun Ouyang, William Provencher, Charles L. Redman, Stephen H. Schneider, and William W. Taylor , 2007)

Grand Challenges in Sustainability Science Symposium Presentations ( Organized by Pamela Matson,  Robert Kates , and Vaughan Turekian; Moderated by William Clark; Presenters:  Pam Matson, Robert Kates, John Schellnhuber, Ed Miles, Bill Turner, Elinor Ostrom, and John Holdren , 2007)

Strategies for Sustainable Development: Case Studies of Community-Based Population, Health, and Environment Projects (The Population Reference Bureau , 2006)

Categorising Tools for Sustainability Assessment (Ness, B Urbel-Piirsalu, E, Anderberg, S & Olsson, L , 2007)

Insights on linking forests, trees, and people from the air, on the ground, and in the laboratory (Elinor Ostrom and Harini Nagendra, 2006)

Energy Efficiency 2009 Summer Issue of The Bridge ( The National Academy of Engineering , 2009)

PROGRAMS

International Network of Research on Coupled Human and Natural Systems CHANS Net

OPPORTUNITIES

Postdoctoral Position on the political ecology of infrastructures in three German regions (Within the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Civil Engineering/Geodesy at the Technische Universität Darmstadt the Chair for Spatial and Infrastructure Planning investigates the interplay between the sustainable development of cities/regions and the transition/ innovation of technical infrastructure (energy, water, wastewater, waste systems), urban/ regional innovation management in the utility sectors and urban/regional policy and planning responses to socio-ecological problems. We are currently inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Position (part-time, 75 %)This three year position will commence in August or September 2009 (with a possible extension of further 3 years). Subject to the successful acquisition of research funding, the terms and conditions of employment could be extended to that of a full-time position.Your tasks: You will be expected to teach courses in spatial and infrastructure planning, to carry out your own research in this field and to publish internationally and nationally. More specifically this includes the following tasks: directing 1,5 courses per semester in different B.A. and M.A. programs in architecture, and in civil, environmental and industrial engineering and supervising bachelor and master theses; supervising a group of three PhD students conducting research on the political ecology of infrastructures in three German regions, conducting and supervising comparative research of international quality on the transition and planning of infrastructure systems in different urban settings. regularly publishing the results of this work, especially in international peer-reviewed academic journals; applying for third-party funding for research projects; participating in the academic activities of the chair and the department.Your profile: You have completed a PhD in planning, social sciences, environmental studies, civil engineering, architecture, geography, or a related field of study. Your previous research activities and your publication record reflect your strong interest and extensive knowledge in the fields of technical infrastructures, social studies of technology, governance and planning theory and your strong methodological skills in empirical social research. Knowledge in the field of either urban/regional studies or of environmental studies are desirable for this position. You have international experience and a proven ability to teach, to manage research projects and to apply for third-party funding. Your working style is team-oriented and you have strong written and oral communication skills. While your publications can be undertaken in English, you are expected to understand written and oral German and to learn to write and speak German. Beyond your research and teaching interests, you have an interest in general sustainability issues and current political and societal discussions.Conditions: We offer an excellent research environment in a motivated, interdisciplinary team at a leading academic institution as well as the possibility for exchange in national and international networks. We encourage you to actively participate at the ”Graduate School for Urban Studies” and interdisciplinary research networks in infrastructure, spatial and energy research at TU Darmstadt. We offer salary according to the German public service pay scale up to BAT Ib depending on qualification and experience (BAT Ib ranges between approx. € 46,000 and € 55,000 gross per annum for a full position depending on age, children, marital status etc.). Your application: The TU Darmstadt has an affirmative action program to promote equity in the employment of women, members of underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. Please send your complete application documents (letter of motivation, a full CV, transcripts, a list of publications and two short samples of recent publications) no later than May 31, 2009 electronically to the Dean of the Department for Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Petersenstr. 12, D-64287 Darmstadt (raumplanung@iwar.tu-darmstadt.de). Foradditional information please visit our website at www.raumplanung.bauing.tudarmstadt.de or contact Jochen Monstadt at j.monstadt@iwar.tu-darmstadt.de or +49- 6151-16-2248.Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany)

Early-Career Summer Fellowship (The Program in Partnerships for International Research and Education: Collaborative Research and Training in Social Context, Population Processes, and Environmental Change invites applications for one 2008 Early-Career Summer Fellowship sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  This new research program is an interdisciplinary and collaborative comparison of two long-standing projects in population and environment, one in rural Nepal and the other in rural China. The position is for three calendar months and can start as early as May 1, 2008 and end no later than August 31, 2008.  Applicants must have a Ph.D. in demography, sociology, anthropology, economics, ecology, geography or a related discipline by the starting date.  Junior faculty are also encouraged to apply. A background in population and environment research is desirable but not required.The 2008 Early-Career Summer Fellowship will feature training in either natural science research methods for social scientists, or social science research methods for natural scientists.  The Fellow will be engaged in independent research and will develop a specific research plan in their subject of interest for either Chitwan, Nepal or Wolong, China, by working with faculty from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Arizona State University, San Diego State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  This position offers exceptional opportunities for collaboration with faculty and staff from five major U.S. universities, as well as researchers and trainees from Nepal and China.  Stipend is commensurate with experience, based on levels mandated by NSF.  The traineeship will also include opportunities for travel to field sites in Nepal or China.  Preference will be given to candidates who are citizens (or Permanent Residents) of the United States at the time of application.  Screening of applications will begin March 1, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled.  Send letter of application, curriculum vitae, 1-2 page statement of research interests and examples of written work in PDF format via E-mail to Jana Bruce. Also, please include the names and contact information for three references.  For information on project field sites in Nepal and China, see http://www.csis.msu.edu/home.htm and http://perl.psc.isr.umich.edu/.Various)

A call for papers on: "Climate and Cities" (We would therefore like to invite contributions - individual city or local authority case studies or broader conceptual and analytical pieces - on the following topics: The economic or regulatory/policy drivers - or policy actions at the local, national, regional or global level - for cities and local authorities to take action to reduce their emissions, and the financial and strategic outcomes that have been achieved in terms of emissions reductions, infrastructure development, building regulations, transport projects, quality of air, etc. NGO or other stakeholders' efforts - partnerships, campaigns, public policy lobbying - to encourage, stimulate or drive changes in GHG emissions, and the relationship between these activities and public policy efforts directed towards the same goal. Individual or collective initiatives by cities and local authorities directed at managing GHG emissions, including discussion of the motivations for action, the actions taken, the GHG emissions reductions achieved, financial implications of taking action, and the wider impact on the community. The manner in which cities and local authorities' responses (compliance with national targets, voluntary commitments, efforts to enhance green image, local activists or NGOs) have influenced the shape of the policy response. How cities and local authorities have partnered with businesses to drive changes in greenhouse gas emissions, energy infrastructure, etc., and the financial implications of such projects through economic development and new local jobs through investments in locally produced energy products. Transport, energy, building projects, clean air, waste, waste-to-energy, water, health, sustainable development, major infrastructure projects, etc. affecting cities and local authorities. The above themes are by no means complete and exhaustive, and contributions on other relevant topics and themes of interest will also be considered. Given the intended policy, practical and managerial nature of the publication, contributions from academics, practitioners in businesses, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, local authorities, cities and governments are very welcome. This is an attempt to develop a global comprehensive understanding of this area of interest, and as such welcomes submissions based on a variety of approaches. Conceptual papers should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words and case studies of cities and local authorities between 3,000 and 5,000 words in length.For further information, to discuss ideas for contributions and to submit abstracts/manuscripts, please contact: Dr Kenny Tang CFA kenny.tang@hotmail.comPhone: +44 20 7701 1298)

INTEGRATED STUDIES

KEY JOURNALS

Science